Surprising Stories from the Set of Gilligan’s Island

The lagoon on the CBS lot looked tropical on camera, but the water was famously chilly in real life. Temperature control was nearly impossible, so scenes that required wading or swimming became unexpectedly uncomfortable for the cast—even though the island setting was supposed to be warm and sunny.

To cope, actors often wore wetsuits hidden under their costumes to keep from freezing during lagoon scenes. It’s a funny contrast to the show’s relaxed island vibe. While viewers imagined balmy breezes, the cast was secretly shivering their way through paradise.